US5967086A - Aquaculture method and apparatus - Google Patents

Aquaculture method and apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5967086A
US5967086A US08/965,315 US96531597A US5967086A US 5967086 A US5967086 A US 5967086A US 96531597 A US96531597 A US 96531597A US 5967086 A US5967086 A US 5967086A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
wall portion
cage
side wall
water
buoyant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/965,315
Inventor
James M. Knott, Sr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US08/965,315 priority Critical patent/US5967086A/en
Priority to CA002253125A priority patent/CA2253125A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5967086A publication Critical patent/US5967086A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/60—Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to an aquaculture method and apparatus and, more particularly, to an aquaculture method and apparatus employing a cage formed out of a vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh material.
  • Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry providing increasing quantities of various fish products. In comparison to conventional commercial fishing techniques, aquaculture offers the advantages of a predictable harvest and reduced labor and equipment cost. However, present systems are plagued with a variety of serious problems.
  • Typical aquaculture systems utilize weighted, fiber mesh nets suspended in a suitable water body by floatation rings. After a given growth period, the cage is lifted to the surface of the water body for harvest of a retained fish crop. Serious losses are caused in such aquaculture systems by large aquatic predators such as sharks, tuna and seals that easily penetrate the fiber mesh nets and feed upon the resident fish. Further losses occur when remaining fish escape through the openings created in the net by the predators.
  • the object of this invention is to provide an improved aquaculture system that reduces problems inherently present in existing systems.
  • the invention is an aquaculture system including an upper support for disposition at the surface of a water body of an aquaculture farm; a cage having a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, the side wall portion having an upper edge secured to the upper support so as to project below the surface of the water body and the side wall portion being formed out of vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh; and a lower support disposed between a bottom edge of the side wall portion and an outer edge of the bottom wall portion.
  • the mesh is formed out of metallic, corrosion-resistant wire having a diameter greater than twenty (20) gauge wire.
  • the wire is formed out of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic-coated metal, copper, cupro-nickel or monel. These materials are particularly well suited for aquaculture use.
  • the cage has substantial planar rigidity so as to resist horizontal deformation in response to water creature impact and water currents. This feature prevents penetration of the cage by predators or deformation of the cage which could cause crowding of retained fish.
  • the system includes a lift mechanism operable to apply an upwardly directed force to the lower support and thereby produce upward contraction of the side wall portion through the water body. Contraction of the side wall portion facilitates harvest of fish retained within the cage.
  • the lift mechanism includes a buoy attached to a bottom portion of the cage and having a buoyant active state and a non-buoyant inactive state; the buoy providing in its active state the upwardly directed force.
  • the buoy is a highly efficient mechanism for producing the desired contraction of the side wall of the cage.
  • the buoy defines a floatation chamber and water inlet openings communicating therewith, and the lift mechanism also includes a control system for discharging water from the floatation chamber to provide the active state of the buoy.
  • the lower support is a tube defining the floatation chamber
  • the control system includes an air compressor communicating with the floatation chamber. The compressor efficiently provides the desired buoyant state for the buoy.
  • an aquaculture method including the steps of: providing a non-buoyant, mesh cage having a contractible side wall portion and a bottom wall portion; submerging the cage in a water body; growing a fish crop within the cage; applying an upwardly directed force to a bottom portion of the cage so as to produce upward movement of the bottom wall portion and vertical contraction of the side wall portion; and harvesting at the surface of the water body the fish crop within the cage.
  • the providing step includes forming the cage out of a metallic, non-corrosive wire having a gauge which provides for the cage substantial planar rigidity that resists deformation by impacting water creatures.
  • the rigid cage resists penetration of the cage by predators.
  • the mesh is a linked spiral mesh.
  • the linked spiral mesh facilitates contraction of the side wall portion.
  • the applying step includes the steps of securing to a bottom portion of the cage a buoy mechanism having a buoyant, active state and a non-buoyant, inactive state; and producing the active state of the buoy mechanism to generate the upwardly directed force.
  • the buoy efficiently provides the desired force to the cage.
  • the buoy mechanism defines a floatation chamber and water access openings communicating therewith; and the producing step includes the step of injecting compressed air into the floatation chamber to cause water discharge through the openings and thereby create the active state.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational cross sectional view of an aquaculture system according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a detailed partial view showing construction of a mesh material used in the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 is an elevational view illustrating fish harvesting operations of the system.
  • An aquaculture system 11 includes a cage 12 submerged in a water body 13 having a surface 14.
  • the cage 12 has an annular side wall portion 21 and a circular bottom wall portion 22. Disposed between a bottom edge 24 of the side wall portion 21 and an outer edge 25 of the bottom wall portion 22 is a lower support formed by a circular buoy tube 26.
  • An upper support assembly 31 is secured to an upper edge 32 of the side wall portion 21.
  • Also included in the system 11 is a lift mechanism 15 for producing upward vertical collapse of the cage 12 as described hereinafter.
  • the cage 12 is formed of a metallic, corrosion resistant wire mesh having substantial planar rigidity so as to resist horizontal deformation in response to water creature impact and water currents.
  • the wire forming the cage 12 has a diameter greater than twenty (20) guage wire and is selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic coated metal, copper, cupro-nickel, monel, galvanized steel, galvanized (5% aluminum 94% zinc+mishmetal) steel, and aluminized steel.
  • At least the side wall portion 21 of the cage 12 is formed out of a non-buoyant, contractible mesh material such as that shown in FIG. 3.
  • the side wall portion 21 of the cage 12 preferably is constructed of a linked spiral mesh (FIG. 3) typically used in conventional chain link fence.
  • the upper support assembly 31 includes a sealed, buoyant inner tube 35 attached to the upper edge 32 of the side wall portion 21 and a sealed, buoyant outer tube 36 attached to the inner tube 35 by a plurality of struts 37.
  • the inner and outer tubes 36 preferably are filled with a suitable buoyant foam.
  • Supported above the inner tube 35 by circumferentially spaced apart ballasters 41 is a railing 42.
  • the railing 42 provides a support for a cover assembly (not shown) which isolates the cage 12 from flying predators.
  • the circular buoy tube 26 is an annular floatation chamber 45 and a plurality of water inlet openings 46 communicating with a bottom portion thereof. The openings 46 allow water access to the floatation chamber 45 to establish for the buoy tube 26 an inactive, non-buoyant state.
  • the lift mechanism 15 includes a buoyant platform 51 attached to the outer tube 36. Supported by the platform 51 is a control system 52 and air compressor 53 controlled thereby. An air hose 54 is connected via a check valve 50 between the compressor 53 and the buoy tube 26. In response to the control system 52, the compressor 53 injects high pressure air into the buoy tube 26 to cause discharge of water through the openings 46 and thereby create an active, buoyant state for the buoy tube 26.
  • a suitable quantity of young fish such as salmon is deposited into the cage 12. Consequently, after a time period required for the fish to reach marketable size, they are harvested in the following manner.
  • the compressor 53 is activated to induce discharge of water from the openings 46 in the buoy tube 26 creating therefor its active buoyant state. In that state, the buoy tube 26 applies an upwardly directed force F on the cage 12 to produce upward movement M of the buoy tube 26 and resultant contraction of the side wall portion 21 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • the air pressure within the tube 26 is slowly increased and controlled to produce gradual upward movement M of the tube 26 and resultant diminution in the depth of the cage 12.
  • the bottom wall portion 22 of the cage 12 gradually moves the fish content of the cage 12 toward the water surface 14 where the fish are harvested by conventional harvesting equipment (not shown).
  • air pressure within the floatation chamber 45 is released allowing water to enter the openings 46 and again create the non-buoyant, inactive state of the tube 26. Consequently, the tube 26 sinks into the water body 13 expanding the side wall portion 21 and forming the full cage volume shown in FIG. 1. A new fish growth cycle then is commenced.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)

Abstract

An aquaculture system including an upper support for disposition at the surface of a water body of an aquaculture farm; a cage having a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, the side wall portion having an upper edge secured to the upper support so as to project below the surface of the water body and the side wall portion being formed out of vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh; and a lower support disposed between a bottom edge of the side wall portion and an outer edge of the bottom wall portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an aquaculture method and apparatus and, more particularly, to an aquaculture method and apparatus employing a cage formed out of a vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh material.
Aquaculture is a rapidly expanding industry providing increasing quantities of various fish products. In comparison to conventional commercial fishing techniques, aquaculture offers the advantages of a predictable harvest and reduced labor and equipment cost. However, present systems are plagued with a variety of serious problems.
Typical aquaculture systems utilize weighted, fiber mesh nets suspended in a suitable water body by floatation rings. After a given growth period, the cage is lifted to the surface of the water body for harvest of a retained fish crop. Serious losses are caused in such aquaculture systems by large aquatic predators such as sharks, tuna and seals that easily penetrate the fiber mesh nets and feed upon the resident fish. Further losses occur when remaining fish escape through the openings created in the net by the predators.
To alleviate the predator problem, many aquaculture systems provide an auxiliary net that surrounds and is spaced from the fish retaining primary net. However, such protective netting also is subject to penetration by predators. Other disadvantages of currently employed fiber mesh nets are a requirement for extensive anchoring and a tendency for the flexible nets to be displaced by tidal flows and thereby undesirably crowd resident fish.
The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved aquaculture system that reduces problems inherently present in existing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an aquaculture system including an upper support for disposition at the surface of a water body of an aquaculture farm; a cage having a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, the side wall portion having an upper edge secured to the upper support so as to project below the surface of the water body and the side wall portion being formed out of vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh; and a lower support disposed between a bottom edge of the side wall portion and an outer edge of the bottom wall portion.
According to one feature of the invention, the mesh is formed out of metallic, corrosion-resistant wire having a diameter greater than twenty (20) gauge wire. These features prevent corrosion of the cage and establish desired strength and rigidity characteristics therefor.
According to another feature of the invention, the wire is formed out of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic-coated metal, copper, cupro-nickel or monel. These materials are particularly well suited for aquaculture use.
According to still another feature of the invention, the cage has substantial planar rigidity so as to resist horizontal deformation in response to water creature impact and water currents. This feature prevents penetration of the cage by predators or deformation of the cage which could cause crowding of retained fish.
According to yet another feature, the system includes a lift mechanism operable to apply an upwardly directed force to the lower support and thereby produce upward contraction of the side wall portion through the water body. Contraction of the side wall portion facilitates harvest of fish retained within the cage.
According to a further feature of the invention, the lift mechanism includes a buoy attached to a bottom portion of the cage and having a buoyant active state and a non-buoyant inactive state; the buoy providing in its active state the upwardly directed force. The buoy is a highly efficient mechanism for producing the desired contraction of the side wall of the cage.
According to additional features, the buoy defines a floatation chamber and water inlet openings communicating therewith, and the lift mechanism also includes a control system for discharging water from the floatation chamber to provide the active state of the buoy. These features efficiently provide the desired active buoyant state for the buoy.
According to additional features of the invention, the lower support is a tube defining the floatation chamber, and the control system includes an air compressor communicating with the floatation chamber. The compressor efficiently provides the desired buoyant state for the buoy.
Also encompassed by the invention is an aquaculture method including the steps of: providing a non-buoyant, mesh cage having a contractible side wall portion and a bottom wall portion; submerging the cage in a water body; growing a fish crop within the cage; applying an upwardly directed force to a bottom portion of the cage so as to produce upward movement of the bottom wall portion and vertical contraction of the side wall portion; and harvesting at the surface of the water body the fish crop within the cage. This method substantially enhances the efficiency of aquaculture fish harvesting.
According to one feature of the method, the providing step includes forming the cage out of a metallic, non-corrosive wire having a gauge which provides for the cage substantial planar rigidity that resists deformation by impacting water creatures. The rigid cage resists penetration of the cage by predators.
According to another feature of the method, the mesh is a linked spiral mesh. The linked spiral mesh facilitates contraction of the side wall portion.
According to other features of the method, the applying step includes the steps of securing to a bottom portion of the cage a buoy mechanism having a buoyant, active state and a non-buoyant, inactive state; and producing the active state of the buoy mechanism to generate the upwardly directed force. The buoy efficiently provides the desired force to the cage.
According to yet other features of the method, the buoy mechanism defines a floatation chamber and water access openings communicating therewith; and the producing step includes the step of injecting compressed air into the floatation chamber to cause water discharge through the openings and thereby create the active state. These features facilitate creation of the required active buoy state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a perusal of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an elevational cross sectional view of an aquaculture system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a detailed partial view showing construction of a mesh material used in the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIG. 4 is an elevational view illustrating fish harvesting operations of the system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
An aquaculture system 11 includes a cage 12 submerged in a water body 13 having a surface 14. The cage 12 has an annular side wall portion 21 and a circular bottom wall portion 22. Disposed between a bottom edge 24 of the side wall portion 21 and an outer edge 25 of the bottom wall portion 22 is a lower support formed by a circular buoy tube 26. An upper support assembly 31 is secured to an upper edge 32 of the side wall portion 21. Also included in the system 11 is a lift mechanism 15 for producing upward vertical collapse of the cage 12 as described hereinafter.
The cage 12 is formed of a metallic, corrosion resistant wire mesh having substantial planar rigidity so as to resist horizontal deformation in response to water creature impact and water currents. Preferably, the wire forming the cage 12 has a diameter greater than twenty (20) guage wire and is selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic coated metal, copper, cupro-nickel, monel, galvanized steel, galvanized (5% aluminum 94% zinc+mishmetal) steel, and aluminized steel. At least the side wall portion 21 of the cage 12 is formed out of a non-buoyant, contractible mesh material such as that shown in FIG. 3. To provide the desired contractibility, the side wall portion 21 of the cage 12 preferably is constructed of a linked spiral mesh (FIG. 3) typically used in conventional chain link fence.
The upper support assembly 31 includes a sealed, buoyant inner tube 35 attached to the upper edge 32 of the side wall portion 21 and a sealed, buoyant outer tube 36 attached to the inner tube 35 by a plurality of struts 37. To enhance and ensure buoyancy, the inner and outer tubes 36 preferably are filled with a suitable buoyant foam. Supported above the inner tube 35 by circumferentially spaced apart ballasters 41 is a railing 42. The railing 42 provides a support for a cover assembly (not shown) which isolates the cage 12 from flying predators. Defined by the circular buoy tube 26 is an annular floatation chamber 45 and a plurality of water inlet openings 46 communicating with a bottom portion thereof. The openings 46 allow water access to the floatation chamber 45 to establish for the buoy tube 26 an inactive, non-buoyant state.
The lift mechanism 15 includes a buoyant platform 51 attached to the outer tube 36. Supported by the platform 51 is a control system 52 and air compressor 53 controlled thereby. An air hose 54 is connected via a check valve 50 between the compressor 53 and the buoy tube 26. In response to the control system 52, the compressor 53 injects high pressure air into the buoy tube 26 to cause discharge of water through the openings 46 and thereby create an active, buoyant state for the buoy tube 26.
According to a preferred method of using the aquaculture system 11, a suitable quantity of young fish such as salmon is deposited into the cage 12. Consequently, after a time period required for the fish to reach marketable size, they are harvested in the following manner. The compressor 53 is activated to induce discharge of water from the openings 46 in the buoy tube 26 creating therefor its active buoyant state. In that state, the buoy tube 26 applies an upwardly directed force F on the cage 12 to produce upward movement M of the buoy tube 26 and resultant contraction of the side wall portion 21 as shown in FIG. 4. The air pressure within the tube 26 is slowly increased and controlled to produce gradual upward movement M of the tube 26 and resultant diminution in the depth of the cage 12. During this contraction of the cage 21, the bottom wall portion 22 of the cage 12 gradually moves the fish content of the cage 12 toward the water surface 14 where the fish are harvested by conventional harvesting equipment (not shown). After completion of the harvest, air pressure within the floatation chamber 45 is released allowing water to enter the openings 46 and again create the non-buoyant, inactive state of the tube 26. Consequently, the tube 26 sinks into the water body 13 expanding the side wall portion 21 and forming the full cage volume shown in FIG. 1. A new fish growth cycle then is commenced.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:
1. An aquaculture system comprising:
an upper support for disposition at the surface of a water body of an aquaculture farm;
a cage having a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion; said side wall portion having an upper edge secured to said upper support so as to project below the surface of the water body, and said side wall portion being a vertically contractible, non-buoyant linked-spiral mesh formed from corrosion-resistant metallic wire and having a diameter greater than 20 gauge wire with a substantial planar rigidity so as to resist horizontal deformation in response to water creature impact and water currents; and
lower support means secured to a bottom portion of said cage.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said lower support means is disposed between a bottom edge of said side wall portion and an outer edge of said bottom wall portion.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said wire is formed out of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic-coated metal, copper, cupro-nickel, monel, galvanized steel, galvanized (5% aluminum 94% zinc+mishmetal) steel, and aluminized steel.
4. An aquaculture method comprising the steps of:
providing a non-buoyant, mesh cage having a contractible side wall portion and a bottom wall portion;
submerging said cage in a water body;
growing a fish crop within said cage;
applying an upwardly directed force to a bottom portion of said cage so as to produce upward movement of said bottom wall portion and vertical contraction of said side wall portion; and
harvesting at the surface of the water body the fish crop within said cage.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said providing step comprises the step of forming said side wall portion out of a metallic, non-corrosive wire having a gauge that provides for said side wall portion a substantial planar rigidity that resists deformation by impacting water creatures.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said mesh is a flattened linked-spiral mesh.
7. A method according to claim 5 wherein said wire is formed out of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic-coated metal, copper, cupro-nickel, monel, galvanized steel, galvanized (5% aluminum 94% zinc+mishmetal) steel, and aluminized steel.
8. A method according to claim 4 wherein said applying step comprises the steps of securing to a bottom portion of said cage a buoy mechanism having a buoyant, active state and a non-buoyant, inactive state; and producing said active state of said buoy mechanism to generate said upwardly directed force.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said buoy mechanism defines a floatation chamber and water access openings communicating with a lower portion thereof; said producing step comprises the step of injecting compressed air into said floatation chamber to cause water discharge through said openings and thereby create said active state.
10. An aquaculture system comprising:
an upper support for disposition at the surface of a water body of an aquaculture farm;
a cage having a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion; said side wall portion having an upper edge secured to said upper support so as to project below the surface of the water body, and said side wall portion being a vertically contractible, non-buoyant mesh formed from corrosion-resistant metallic wire having substantial planar rigidity so as to resist horizontal deformation in response to water creature impact and water currents;
lower support means secured to a bottom portion of said cage; and
powered lift means operable to apply an upwardly directed force to said lower support means and thereby produce upward contraction of said side wall portion through the water body.
11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said lift means comprises buoy means attached to said bottom portion of said cage and having a buoyant active state and a non-buoyant inactive state; said buoy means providing in said active state said upwardly directed force.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said buoy means defines a floatation chamber, water inlet openings communicating with a lower portion of said floatation chamber and allowing water access to said floatation chamber so as to provide said inactive state, and control means for discharging water from said floatation chamber to provide said active state of said buoy means.
13. A system according to claim 12 wherein said lower support means is a tube defining said floatation chamber, and said control means comprises an air compressor communicating with said floatation chamber.
14. A system according to claim 12 wherein said buoy means is attached between a bottom edge of said side wall portion and an outer edge of said bottom wall portion.
US08/965,315 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Aquaculture method and apparatus Expired - Lifetime US5967086A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/965,315 US5967086A (en) 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Aquaculture method and apparatus
CA002253125A CA2253125A1 (en) 1997-11-06 1998-10-30 Aquaculture method and apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/965,315 US5967086A (en) 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Aquaculture method and apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5967086A true US5967086A (en) 1999-10-19

Family

ID=25509796

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/965,315 Expired - Lifetime US5967086A (en) 1997-11-06 1997-11-06 Aquaculture method and apparatus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US5967086A (en)
CA (1) CA2253125A1 (en)

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6216635B1 (en) * 1998-02-11 2001-04-17 Mcrobert Ian Apparatus and method for lifting a net of an aquaculture pen and an aquaculture pen incorporating same
ES2160535A1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2001-11-01 Pie Jordi Galvez Cage for fish-farming
US6386146B1 (en) 2000-03-02 2002-05-14 James M. Knott, Sr. Aquaculture method and apparatus
US6581543B1 (en) * 1999-05-31 2003-06-24 Helgeland Holding As Inner valves for fish cage
US20030168018A1 (en) * 2002-02-05 2003-09-11 Matthews Paul C. Method of establishing clam bed colonies and mobile floating hatchery for implementing same
WO2003091584A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-11-06 Onesteel Manufacturing Pty Limited Net suspension hook and spiral-shaped net joiner
US6962130B1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2005-11-08 Kennedy James P Garden pond shelter reef
US20060162667A1 (en) * 2005-01-26 2006-07-27 Papadoyianis Ernest D Aquatic habitat and ecological tank
US20060207516A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-21 Tuerk Jeffrey E Aquaculture cage with variable buoyancy spars
HRP20040212B1 (en) * 2004-03-03 2008-03-31 Ćapin Ljubomir Keepnet for the culture of fish and mussels
US20080110408A1 (en) * 2006-11-13 2008-05-15 Open Ocean Systems, Inc. Submersible cage and system for fish farming
US20080257275A1 (en) * 2007-03-29 2008-10-23 Susana Labra Reynolds Device and Method for the Capture of Larvae and the Sea-Culture of Sea Urchins and Abalone
WO2009089970A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
US20090229531A1 (en) * 2008-03-14 2009-09-17 Stillman Harold M Corrosion-compensated net
US20100018470A1 (en) * 2008-07-24 2010-01-28 Dong-Joo Kim Submersible Offshore Marine Aquaculture Apparatus
US7743733B2 (en) * 2004-06-02 2010-06-29 Aquaculture Engineering Group Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
WO2010094569A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-26 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with pre-oxidized metal wires
WO2010094570A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-26 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with cleaned metal wires
US20110048331A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2011-03-03 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with different densities of weight
WO2011087371A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Surnadal Sjøservice As Device for cleaning floating aquaculture collars
US20110265729A1 (en) * 2008-10-28 2011-11-03 Geobrugg Ag Net, In Particular for a Basket for Pisciculture and a Method and Device for Production Thereof
US8230813B1 (en) * 2011-11-23 2012-07-31 Larry Birdwell Method and apparatus for transporting migratory fish
US20130008387A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Kevin Darnell Carter Collapsible Mesh Bird Cage
CN104430092A (en) * 2014-12-07 2015-03-25 浙江海洋学院普陀科学技术学院 Floating pipe bracket structure of triangular section reinforced net box
US20150083050A1 (en) * 2012-05-08 2015-03-26 Sea Control Holdings Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
US20150272018A1 (en) * 2012-10-17 2015-10-01 Serge Menard Offshore aquaculture installation
CN104996329A (en) * 2015-06-23 2015-10-28 李成启 Fish breeding method in marine cage
JP2019506904A (en) * 2016-03-02 2019-03-14 アクヴァデザイン アクチセルスカブ Buoyancy system for fish enclosure
US20190166808A1 (en) * 2016-04-11 2019-06-06 Seafarming Systems As A floating fish farming plant and assembly of plants
CN110250065A (en) * 2019-07-05 2019-09-20 王君 A kind of ocean feeds intake net cage
CN110786280A (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-14 天津市海王星海上工程技术股份有限公司 Stretching type bottom-sitting net cage
WO2020055268A1 (en) 2018-09-13 2020-03-19 Spring Innovation As A raiseable floating structure and a method for raising the same in a water column
CN111386037A (en) * 2017-06-27 2020-07-07 塞尔日·梅纳德 Floating submerged type open sea aquaculture facility
GB2594263A (en) * 2020-04-20 2021-10-27 Impact9 Energy And Marine Ltd A variable buoyancy sinker ring
US11259508B2 (en) * 2017-11-21 2022-03-01 Unitech Offshore As Fish farm
US11445708B2 (en) * 2017-03-27 2022-09-20 Sembcorb Marine Integrated Yard Pte. Ltd. Floating marine plant for containing marine organisms
US11523593B2 (en) * 2017-04-21 2022-12-13 Viewpoint As Fish pen system with compensation for wave motion
WO2023021047A3 (en) * 2021-08-16 2023-03-23 Stewart Graham Aquaculture pen

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111670850B (en) * 2020-06-18 2021-12-14 浙江海洋大学 Net cage capable of being lifted quickly

Citations (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US268558A (en) * 1882-12-05 Michael saunders small
US2603028A (en) * 1949-06-14 1952-07-15 Walter E Roberts Floating fish bag
US2854782A (en) * 1956-10-02 1958-10-07 Eugene P Daugherty Knockdown live fish container
US3374770A (en) * 1967-02-14 1968-03-26 Springfield Tool & Die Company Fish breeder
US3683854A (en) * 1970-09-17 1972-08-15 Oceanography Mariculture Ind Apparatus for separating viable fish eggs from non-fertilized eggs
US4003338A (en) * 1975-01-29 1977-01-18 Gregor N. Neff Aquatic animal cage and fabrication method
US4084543A (en) * 1976-08-25 1978-04-18 Tereco Corporation Aquatic biotal monitor
US4244323A (en) * 1978-05-11 1981-01-13 Bridgestone Tire Company Limited Apparatus for floating and sinking fish breeding netted tanks
US4257350A (en) * 1977-11-14 1981-03-24 Francis Devin Method and device for practicing marine aquaculture
US4416082A (en) * 1982-02-16 1983-11-22 Charles Strobel Marine animal trap
US4858372A (en) * 1989-01-09 1989-08-22 Ray Lawrence J Fish basket
US4890413A (en) * 1989-02-03 1990-01-02 Nelson Daniel E Floating fish container with adjustable length means and biased opening means
US5009189A (en) * 1990-06-25 1991-04-23 Neff Gregor N Aquatic cage and method
US5429074A (en) * 1993-02-12 1995-07-04 Nelson; Eddie Storage apparatus for cultivating oysters
US5448964A (en) * 1993-02-12 1995-09-12 Kujaku Kana-Ami Co., Ltd. Net cage
US5549076A (en) * 1991-10-08 1996-08-27 Kaarstad; Charles Device for use in a rearing unit
US5617813A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-04-08 Ocean Spar Technologies, Llc Anchorable mobile spar and ring fish pen
US5628279A (en) * 1995-05-01 1997-05-13 Bones, Iv; John W. Fish cage

Patent Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US268558A (en) * 1882-12-05 Michael saunders small
US2603028A (en) * 1949-06-14 1952-07-15 Walter E Roberts Floating fish bag
US2854782A (en) * 1956-10-02 1958-10-07 Eugene P Daugherty Knockdown live fish container
US3374770A (en) * 1967-02-14 1968-03-26 Springfield Tool & Die Company Fish breeder
US3683854A (en) * 1970-09-17 1972-08-15 Oceanography Mariculture Ind Apparatus for separating viable fish eggs from non-fertilized eggs
US4003338A (en) * 1975-01-29 1977-01-18 Gregor N. Neff Aquatic animal cage and fabrication method
US4079698A (en) * 1975-01-29 1978-03-21 Gregor N. Neff Aquatic animal cage
US4084543A (en) * 1976-08-25 1978-04-18 Tereco Corporation Aquatic biotal monitor
US4257350A (en) * 1977-11-14 1981-03-24 Francis Devin Method and device for practicing marine aquaculture
US4244323A (en) * 1978-05-11 1981-01-13 Bridgestone Tire Company Limited Apparatus for floating and sinking fish breeding netted tanks
US4416082A (en) * 1982-02-16 1983-11-22 Charles Strobel Marine animal trap
US4858372A (en) * 1989-01-09 1989-08-22 Ray Lawrence J Fish basket
US4890413A (en) * 1989-02-03 1990-01-02 Nelson Daniel E Floating fish container with adjustable length means and biased opening means
US5009189A (en) * 1990-06-25 1991-04-23 Neff Gregor N Aquatic cage and method
US5549076A (en) * 1991-10-08 1996-08-27 Kaarstad; Charles Device for use in a rearing unit
US5429074A (en) * 1993-02-12 1995-07-04 Nelson; Eddie Storage apparatus for cultivating oysters
US5448964A (en) * 1993-02-12 1995-09-12 Kujaku Kana-Ami Co., Ltd. Net cage
US5617813A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-04-08 Ocean Spar Technologies, Llc Anchorable mobile spar and ring fish pen
US5628279A (en) * 1995-05-01 1997-05-13 Bones, Iv; John W. Fish cage

Cited By (66)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6216635B1 (en) * 1998-02-11 2001-04-17 Mcrobert Ian Apparatus and method for lifting a net of an aquaculture pen and an aquaculture pen incorporating same
US6581543B1 (en) * 1999-05-31 2003-06-24 Helgeland Holding As Inner valves for fish cage
ES2160535A1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2001-11-01 Pie Jordi Galvez Cage for fish-farming
US6386146B1 (en) 2000-03-02 2002-05-14 James M. Knott, Sr. Aquaculture method and apparatus
US20030168018A1 (en) * 2002-02-05 2003-09-11 Matthews Paul C. Method of establishing clam bed colonies and mobile floating hatchery for implementing same
WO2003091584A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-11-06 Onesteel Manufacturing Pty Limited Net suspension hook and spiral-shaped net joiner
US6962130B1 (en) * 2003-01-27 2005-11-08 Kennedy James P Garden pond shelter reef
HRP20040212B1 (en) * 2004-03-03 2008-03-31 Ćapin Ljubomir Keepnet for the culture of fish and mussels
US7992522B2 (en) 2004-06-02 2011-08-09 Aquaculture Engineering Group Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
US20100224135A1 (en) * 2004-06-02 2010-09-09 Aquaculture Engineering Group Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
US7743733B2 (en) * 2004-06-02 2010-06-29 Aquaculture Engineering Group Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
WO2006081359A3 (en) * 2005-01-26 2007-06-07 Ernest D Papadoyianis Aquatic habitat and ecological tank
WO2006081359A2 (en) * 2005-01-26 2006-08-03 Papadoyianis Ernest D Aquatic habitat and ecological tank
US20060162667A1 (en) * 2005-01-26 2006-07-27 Papadoyianis Ernest D Aquatic habitat and ecological tank
US20060207516A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-21 Tuerk Jeffrey E Aquaculture cage with variable buoyancy spars
US7661389B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2010-02-16 Tuerk Jeffrey E Aquaculture cage with variable buoyancy spars
US20080110408A1 (en) * 2006-11-13 2008-05-15 Open Ocean Systems, Inc. Submersible cage and system for fish farming
US7748349B2 (en) * 2006-11-13 2010-07-06 Open Ocean Systems, Inc. Submersible cage and system for fish farming
US20080257275A1 (en) * 2007-03-29 2008-10-23 Susana Labra Reynolds Device and Method for the Capture of Larvae and the Sea-Culture of Sea Urchins and Abalone
US8020516B2 (en) * 2007-03-29 2011-09-20 Susana Labra Reynolds Device and method for the capture of larvae and the sea-culture of sea urchins and abalone
WO2009089970A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
CN101909435B (en) * 2008-01-18 2012-12-19 贝卡尔特股份有限公司 Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
US8534227B2 (en) 2008-01-18 2013-09-17 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
CN101909435A (en) * 2008-01-18 2010-12-08 贝卡尔特股份有限公司 Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
US20110048331A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2011-03-03 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with different densities of weight
US20110114028A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2011-05-19 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
AU2008347376B2 (en) * 2008-01-18 2013-01-17 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with different densities of weight
AU2008347375B2 (en) * 2008-01-18 2013-04-04 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with high-tensile steel wires
US8210125B2 (en) * 2008-01-18 2012-07-03 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with different densities of weight
CN101909434B (en) * 2008-01-18 2013-10-16 贝卡尔特股份有限公司 Aquaculture net with different densities of weight
US20090229531A1 (en) * 2008-03-14 2009-09-17 Stillman Harold M Corrosion-compensated net
US20100018470A1 (en) * 2008-07-24 2010-01-28 Dong-Joo Kim Submersible Offshore Marine Aquaculture Apparatus
US20110265729A1 (en) * 2008-10-28 2011-11-03 Geobrugg Ag Net, In Particular for a Basket for Pisciculture and a Method and Device for Production Thereof
US9452467B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2016-09-27 Geobrugg Ag Method for producing a net, in particular for a basket for pisciculture
WO2010094570A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-26 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with cleaned metal wires
WO2010094569A1 (en) * 2009-02-19 2010-08-26 Nv Bekaert Sa Aquaculture net with pre-oxidized metal wires
GB2489170A (en) * 2010-01-15 2012-09-19 Surnadal Sja Service As Device for cleaning floating aquaculture collars
WO2011087371A1 (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-21 Surnadal Sjøservice As Device for cleaning floating aquaculture collars
GB2489170B (en) * 2010-01-15 2014-07-16 Surnadal Sj Service As Device for cleaning floating aquaculture collars
US20130008387A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Kevin Darnell Carter Collapsible Mesh Bird Cage
US8453607B2 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-06-04 Kevin Darnell Carter Collapsible mesh bird cage
US8230813B1 (en) * 2011-11-23 2012-07-31 Larry Birdwell Method and apparatus for transporting migratory fish
US9980469B2 (en) * 2012-05-08 2018-05-29 Sea Control Holdings Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
US20150083050A1 (en) * 2012-05-08 2015-03-26 Sea Control Holdings Ltd. Offshore aquaculture system
US20150272018A1 (en) * 2012-10-17 2015-10-01 Serge Menard Offshore aquaculture installation
CN104430092A (en) * 2014-12-07 2015-03-25 浙江海洋学院普陀科学技术学院 Floating pipe bracket structure of triangular section reinforced net box
CN104996329A (en) * 2015-06-23 2015-10-28 李成启 Fish breeding method in marine cage
CN104996329B (en) * 2015-06-23 2017-09-29 洪作良 A kind of marine cage fish culture method
US10827729B2 (en) * 2016-03-02 2020-11-10 Akvadesign As Buoyancy system for a fish pen
JP2019506904A (en) * 2016-03-02 2019-03-14 アクヴァデザイン アクチセルスカブ Buoyancy system for fish enclosure
US11825815B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2023-11-28 Akvadesign As Buoyancy system for a fish pen
JP2022002544A (en) * 2016-03-02 2022-01-11 アクヴァデザイン アクチセルスカブ System and method for fish culture
EA039746B1 (en) * 2016-03-02 2022-03-05 Аквадизайн Ас Connection for the attachment of a fish trap fence to a floating body
US20190166808A1 (en) * 2016-04-11 2019-06-06 Seafarming Systems As A floating fish farming plant and assembly of plants
US10918094B2 (en) * 2016-04-11 2021-02-16 Seafarming Systems As Floating fish farming plant and assembly of plants
US11445708B2 (en) * 2017-03-27 2022-09-20 Sembcorb Marine Integrated Yard Pte. Ltd. Floating marine plant for containing marine organisms
US11523593B2 (en) * 2017-04-21 2022-12-13 Viewpoint As Fish pen system with compensation for wave motion
CN111386037A (en) * 2017-06-27 2020-07-07 塞尔日·梅纳德 Floating submerged type open sea aquaculture facility
US11259508B2 (en) * 2017-11-21 2022-03-01 Unitech Offshore As Fish farm
CN110786280A (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-14 天津市海王星海上工程技术股份有限公司 Stretching type bottom-sitting net cage
EP3849303A4 (en) * 2018-09-13 2022-06-15 Spring Innovation AS A raiseable floating structure and a method for raising the same in a water column
WO2020055268A1 (en) 2018-09-13 2020-03-19 Spring Innovation As A raiseable floating structure and a method for raising the same in a water column
AU2019340290B2 (en) * 2018-09-13 2023-02-02 Spring Innovation As A raiseable floating structure and a method for raising the same in a water column
CN110250065A (en) * 2019-07-05 2019-09-20 王君 A kind of ocean feeds intake net cage
GB2594263A (en) * 2020-04-20 2021-10-27 Impact9 Energy And Marine Ltd A variable buoyancy sinker ring
WO2023021047A3 (en) * 2021-08-16 2023-03-23 Stewart Graham Aquaculture pen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2253125A1 (en) 1999-05-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5967086A (en) Aquaculture method and apparatus
US6386146B1 (en) Aquaculture method and apparatus
US6216635B1 (en) Apparatus and method for lifting a net of an aquaculture pen and an aquaculture pen incorporating same
KR100796119B1 (en) Submersible cage facility for fish culture
KR101845500B1 (en) Submersible cage device
KR102146159B1 (en) Submergible fish cage having double buoys and net made of multiple materials
CN206658885U (en) Quickly catch fishing net in a kind of novel large pond
JP3077069B2 (en) Method and apparatus for culturing aquatic products at sea
KR101947319B1 (en) Submersible marine aquaculture apparatus
CN204350804U (en) A kind of algal reef of artificial input
CN105028253B (en) Concrete steelframe combines fish shelter
CN214482825U (en) Truss type submerged culture net cage
CN104429895B (en) A kind of marine ecology reef
US20220369606A1 (en) Dynamic buoyancy system for submersible pen
CN105104244B (en) Propagation floating reef
KR20160131874A (en) Triangular pyramid typed artificial reef
CA2362859A1 (en) Equipment for flat-bottom floating cage
WO2022139591A1 (en) Systems and methods for handling farmed aquatic animals
KR101947320B1 (en) The method using submersible marine aquaculture apparatus
CN105075844A (en) A suspension alga reef structure
KR100841095B1 (en) Seaweed forest and nourishing method thereof
CN110313428A (en) Large-scale finished product fish culture net cage
CN204634739U (en) A kind of steelframe substrate artificial fish shelter
CN204634734U (en) A kind of cast concrete base artificial fish shelter
CN104429908B (en) A kind of have the algal reef keeping away wave function

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12